FINAL REFELCTION

Ilse Hinojosa

DFC

PN145-01

10/03/2026

DFC

What Went Well

Today was my fourth day of clinical, and I honestly feel like it went better than the previous days. I am starting to feel more comfortable in the clinical setting and more confident when interacting with the residents. I was able to pass medications, perform more assessments, and continue building connections with the residents. I feel like each clinical day I am becoming less nervous and more comfortable with my skills.

Our main focus today was completing head-to-toe assessments. I was able to practice going through the different body systems and paying closer attention to any abnormal findings. I am realizing how important it is to not just go through the motions of an assessment, but to actually understand what I am looking for and why. The more assessments I complete, the easier it is becoming to organize my steps and communicate with the resident at the same time.

We also assisted with a resident who had fallen and had an injury. This was a really important learning experience because we were educated on what steps should be taken after a patient falls. We learned the importance of assessing the resident before immediately trying to move them, checking for injuries, obtaining vital signs, completing neurological assessments when indicated, and reporting any changes to the nurse. It also reminded me how important fall precautions are, especially with older adults who may already be at an increased risk for falls. Seeing this situation in person helped me understand how important it is to remain calm, think about patient safety first, and know what steps to take.

Opportunities for Improvement

One area I would like to continue improving is my head-to-toe assessment. I feel more confident than I did before, but I still want to become faster and more consistent with the order of my assessment. My goal is to be able to complete it without having to think so much about each step while still being thorough and noticing anything abnormal.

I would also like to have more opportunities to practice skills that I have not been able to experience very often during clinical. One skill I would like more exposure to is urinary catheter care or insertion. Being able to observe or assist with this would help me better understand sterile technique, proper catheter care, and the nursing interventions used to reduce the risk of infection. I think having more hands-on opportunities like this will help me feel more prepared and confident in my nursing skills.

Takeaway and Goal for Tomorrow

My biggest takeaway from today was being able to see a pressure injury in person and understand how important it is to recognize skin changes early. It helped me connect what we have learned in class to what we actually see in clinical. I also felt more comfortable with passing medications and administering insulin, which made me feel like I am becoming more confident in my skills.

Moving forward, I want to keep practicing my head-to-toe assessments and become more comfortable recognizing changes in a resident’s skin, mobility, and overall condition. I also want to take every opportunity I can to practice new skills and gain more hands-on experience. Another goal of mine is to continue talking with the residents and getting to know them. I feel like building that trust has made me more comfortable providing care and has helped me grow as a nursing student.